Was the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) able to read or write?
We know that Allah jalla wa ‘alā says in the Qur’ān: (al-A‘rāf, 157)
الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ
Those who follow the Messenger, the Ummiyy (unlettered) Prophet whom they find written with them in the Torah and the Injīl…
And He ‘azza wa jall also says: (al-‘Ankabūt, 48)
وَمَا كُنْتَ تَتْلُو مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُ بِيَمِينِكَ إِذًا لَارْتَابَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ
You (O Prophet,) have never been reciting any book before this, nor have you been writing it with your right hand; had it been so, the adherents of falsehood would have raised doubts.
Yet a brother asks the following questions:
1. It is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) changed in the document of al-Hudaibiyah Truce the phrase “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” into “Muhammad ibn `Abdullah”.
2. He read a paper to `Uyaynah ibn Hisn and conveyed its meaning.
3. He stated that one of the signs of the Anti-Christ (al-Maseeh ad-Dajjal) is that it is written between his eyes the word “a disbeliever”.
4. Musaylima had written to the apostle (Prophet Muhammad):
From Musaylima the apostle of God to Muhammad the apostle of God. Peace upon you. I have been made partner with you in authority. To us belongs half the land and to Quraysh half, but Quraysh are a hostile people…
Then he (Prophet Muhammad) wrote to Musaylima:
From Muhammad the apostle of God to Musaylima the liar. Peace be upon him who follows the guidance. The earth is God’s. He lets whom He will of His creatures (to) inherit it and the result is to the pious…
For those who want a one minute answer to this question (!) then basically the scholars politely differed over this issue because of all the evidences. I personally believe that he (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) was indeed unlettered but that at very rare specific moments after Prophethood, Allah jalla wa ‘alā miraculously gave him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) the ability to write.
And Allah knows best.
In more detail for those who read source material, this position is based upon the following:
To start firstly with the story about Musaylimah then this story above has only been narrated by Ibn Ishaq in his Sirat’l-Nabawiyyah (5:116). As far as I know I believe it to be weak. It is also narrated by Ibn Abi ‘Āsim in al-Āhād w’l-Mathānī (1177)
1177 – حدثنا يحيى بن خلف أبو سلمة ، نا وهب بن جرير ، نا أبي ، نا محمد بن إسحاق ، حدثني شيخ من أشجع ، عن سلمة بن نعيم بن مسعود ، عن أبيه أنه قال : سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول : « والله لولا أن الرسل لا تقتل لضربت أعناقكما » قال : فكتب معهما : « من محمد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى مسيلمة الكذاب سلام على من اتبع الهدى أما بعد ، فإن الأرض لله تعالى يورثها من يشاء من عباده والعاقبة للمتقين »
The aspect of this narration which only suggests that “he read” the letter without his “writing” a letter back, has been narrated by Bayhaqi and al-Hakim (6:238):
2583 – أخبرنا أبو نصر أحمد بن سهل بن حمدويه الفقيه ببخارى ، ثنا إبراهيم بن معقل النسفي ، ثنا محمد بن عمرو الرازي ويلقب بزنيج ، ثنا سلمة بن الفضل الأبرش ، حدثني محمد بن إسحاق ، قال : كان مسيلمة كتب إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، وقد حدثني ابن إسحاق ، عن سعد بن طارق الأشجعي عن سلمة بن نعيم بن مسعود الأشجعي ، عن أبيه نعيم رضي الله عنه ، قال : سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول لرسولي مسيلمة حين قرأ كتاب مسيلمة : « ما تقولان أنتما ؟ » قالا : نقول كما قال ، قال : « أما والله لولا أن الرسل لا تقتل لضربت أعناقكما » « هذا حديث صحيح على شرط مسلم ، ولم يخرجاه »
Yet in another narration Hākim narrates from the same Nu‘aym b. Mas‘ūd, there is no mention that the Prophet himself even “read” the letter.
4350 – حدثنا أبو العباس محمد بن يعقوب ، ثنا أحمد بن عبد الجبار ، ثنا يونس بن بكير ، عن ابن إسحاق ، قال : فحدثني سعد بن طارق ، عن سلمة بن نعيم بن مسعود ، عن أبيه قال : سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول حين جاءه رسولا مسيلمة الكذاب بكتابه ، ورسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول لهما : « وأنتما تقولان بمثل ما يقول ؟ » قالا : نعم ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : « والله لولا أن الرسل لا تقتل لضربت أعناقكما » « هذا حديث صحيح على شرط مسلم ، ولم يخرجاه »
I doubt the authenticity of these extra parts from these narrations of the Prophet’s “reading” and “writing” as can be seen. Yet even if it is authentic, the statement, “he wrote to…” has usually been understood as a figure of speech by the narrator of that time to refer to the scribe doing the actual writing, so this isn’t a major issue.
This is also how to understand the other queries when we find in some cases from the Sunnah that the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) read something or wrote, which in actual fact refers to someone reading for him or someone writing for him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) as is well known in all languages.
As for the issue of the reading of كافر between the eyes of Dajjāl then we have many narrations from the Prophet narrated from Abu Bakrah and Jābir collected by Ahmed as well as other narrations in Ibn Mājah and al-Tabarāni that both unlettered and educated or literate and illiterate will be able to read it. Other narrations indicate that every believer will be able to read it. The narration in Sahīh Muslim says that every Muslim will able to read it, whereas the narration in Tirmidhi says that everyone who hates the actions of Dajjāl will be able to read it.
The correct position thus is that it is not about being literate or not, but rather a benefit of īmān itself that will give the believer a special sight that will allow him to recognise Dajjāl. So as the scholars mentioned, even the most educated of the disbelievers will not be able to read it and even the most illiterate and even blind (!) of the believers will be able to by the mercy of Allah jalla wa ‘alā. And if you can’t read Arabic, don’t worry, just concentrate on being close to Allah and His Messenger and you’ll be fine insha’Allah!
For some final quotes from the ‘Ulemā in general, Imām al-Nawawi said in Sharh Sahih Muslim (240/6):
قَالَ الْقَاضِي عِيَاض – رَضِيَ اللَّه تَعَالَى عَنْهُ – : اِحْتَجَّ بِهَذَا اللَّفْظ بَعْض النَّاس عَلَى أَنَّ النَّبِيّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَتَبَ ذَلِكَ بِيَدِهِ عَلَى ظَاهِر هَذَا اللَّفْظ ، وَقَدْ ذَكَرَ الْبُخَارِيّ نَحْوه مِنْ رِوَايَة إِسْرَائِيل عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاق ، وَقَالَ فِيهِ : أَخَذَ رَسُول اللَّه صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْكِتَاب فَكَتَبَ ، وَزَادَ عَنْهُ فِي طَرِيق آخَر ، وَلَا يَحْسُن أَنْ يَكْتُبَ فَكَتَبَ ، قَالَ أَصْحَاب هَذَا الْمَذْهَب : إِنَّ اللَّه تَعَالَى أَجْرَى ذَلِكَ عَلَى يَده إِمَّا بِأَنْ كَتَبَ ذَلِكَ الْقَلَم بِيَدِهِ وَهُوَ غَيْر عَالِم بِمَا يَكْتُب ، أَوْ أَنَّ اللَّه تَعَالَى عَلَّمَهُ ذَلِكَ حِينَئِذٍ حَتَّى كَتَبَ ، وَجَعَلَ هَذَا زِيَادَة فِي مُعْجِزَته ، فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ أُمِّيًّا فَكَمَا عَلَّمَهُ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَم مِنْ الْعِلْم ، وَجَعَلَهُ يَقْرَأ مَا لَمْ يَقْرَأ ، وَيَتْلُو مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يَتْلُو ، كَذَلِكَ عَلَّمَهُ أَنْ يَكْتُب مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يَكْتُب ، وَخَطَّ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يَخُطّ بَعْد النُّبُوَّة ، أَوْ أَجْرَى ذَلِكَ عَلَى يَده ، قَالُوا : وَهَذَا لَا يَقْدَح فِي وَصْفه بِالْأُمِّيَّةِ ، وَاحْتَجُّوا بِآثَارٍ جَاءَتْ فِي هَذَا عَنْ الشَّعْبِيّ وَبَعْض السَّلَف ، وَأَنَّ النَّبِيّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَمْ يَمُتْ حَتَّى كَتَبَ . قَالَ الْقَاضِي : وَإِلَى جَوَاز هَذَا ذَهَبَ الْبَاجِيُّ ، وَحَكَاهُ عَنْ السِّمَنَانِيّ وَأَبِي ذَرّ وَغَيْره ، وَذَهَبَ الْأَكْثَرُونَ إِلَى مَنْع هَذَا كُلّه ، قَالُوا : وَهَذَا الَّذِي زَعَمَهُ الذَّاهِبُونَ إِلَى الْقَوْل الْأَوَّل يُبْطِلهُ وَصْف اللَّه تَعَالَى إِيَّاهُ بِالنَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، وَقَوْله تَعَالَى : { وَمَا كُنْت تَتْلُو مِنْ قَبْله مِنْ كِتَاب وَلَا تَخُطّهُ بِيَمِينِك } وَقَوْله صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : ” إِنَّا أُمَّة أُمِّيَّة لَا نَكْتُب وَلَا نَحْسِب ” ، قَالُوا : وَقَوْله فِي هَذَا الْحَدِيث : ( كَتَبَ ) مَعْنَاهُ : أَمَرَ بِالْكِتَابَةِ ، كَمَا يُقَال : رَجَمَ مَاعِزًا ، وَقَطَعَ السَّارِق ، وَجَلَدَ الشَّارِب ، أَيْ : أَمَرَ بِذَلِكَ ، وَاحْتَجُّوا بِالرِّوَايَةِ الْأُخْرَى : ( فَقَالَ لِعَلِيٍّ – رَضِيَ اللَّه تَعَالَى عَنْهُ – اُكْتُبْ مُحَمَّد بْن عَبْد اللَّه ) قَالَ الْقَاضِي : وَأَجَابَ الْأَوَّلُونَ عَنْ قَوْله تَعَالَى إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَتْلُ وَلَمْ يَخُطّ ، أَيْ مِنْ قَبْل تَعْلِيمه كَمَا قَالَ اللَّه تَعَالَى : { مِنْ قَبْله } فَكَمَا جَازَ أَنْ يَتْلُو جَازَ أَنْ يَكْتُب ، وَلَا يَقْدَح هَذَا فِي كَوْنه أُمِّيًّا إِذْ لَيْسَتْ الْمُعْجِزَة مُجَرَّد كَوْنه أُمِّيًّا ، فَإِنَّ الْمُعْجِزَة حَاصِلَة بِكَوْنِهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ أَوَّلًا كَذَلِكَ ، ثُمَّ جَاءَ بِالْقُرْآنِ ، وَبِعُلُومٍ لَا يَعْلَمهَا الْأُمِّيُّونَ ، قَالَ الْقَاضِي : وَهَذَا الَّذِي قَالُوهُ ظَاهِر ، قَالَ : وَقَوْله فِي الرِّوَايَة الَّتِي ذَكَرْنَاهَا : ( وَلَا يَحْسُن أَنْ يَكْتُب فَكَتَبَ ) كَالنَّصِّ أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ بِنَفْسِهِ ، قَالَ : وَالْعُدُول إِلَى غَيْره مَجَاز ، وَلَا ضَرُورَة إِلَيْهِ ، قَالَ : وَقَدْ طَالَ كَلَام كُلّ فِرْقَة فِي هَذِهِ الْمَسْأَلَة ، وَشَنَّعَتْ كُلّ فِرْقَة عَلَى الْأُخْرَى فِي هَذَا . وَاَللَّه أَعْلَم .
And really, for a beautiful summation of the entire mas’alah then lets hand it over to the scholar of the scholars, Imām Ibn Taymiyyah, who said in his Majmu’l-Fatawa (71/7):
وَإِنَّمَا ” الْأُمِّيُّ ” هُوَ فِي الْأَصْلِ مَنْسُوبٌ إلَى الْأُمَّةِ الَّتِي هِيَ جِنْسُ الْأُمِّيِّينَ وَهُوَ مَنْ لَمْ يَتَمَيَّزْ عَنْ الْجِنْسِ بِالْعِلْمِ الْمُخْتَصِّ : مِنْ قِرَاءَةٍ أَوْ كِتَابَة كَمَا يُقَالُ : عَامِّيٌّ لِمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ الْعَامَّةِ غَيْرَ مُتَمَيِّزٍ عَنْهُمْ بِمَا يَخْتَصُّ بِهِ غَيْرُهُمْ مِنْ عُلُومٍ : وَقَدْ قِيلَ : إنَّهُ نِسْبَةٌ إلَى الْأُمِّ : أَيْ هُوَ الْبَاقِي عَلَى مَا عَوَّدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ مِنْ الْمَعْرِفَةِ وَالْعِلْمِ وَنَحْوِ ذَلِكَ . ثُمَّ التَّمَيُّزُ الَّذِي يَخْرُجُ بِهِ عَنْ الْأُمِّيَّةِ الْعَامَّةِ إلَى الِاخْتِصَاصِ : تَارَةً يَكُونُ فَضْلًا وَكَمَالًا فِي نَفْسِهِ . كَالْمُتَمَيِّزِ عَنْهُمْ بِقِرَاءَةِ الْقُرْآنِ وَفَهْمِ مَعَانِيهِ . وَتَارَةً يَكُونُ بِمَا يَتَوَصَّلُ بِهِ إلَى الْفَضْلِ وَالْكَمَالِ : كَالتَّمَيُّزِ عَنْهُمْ بِالْكِتَابَةِ وَقِرَاءَةِ الْمَكْتُوبِ فَيُمْدَحُ فِي حَقِّ مَنْ اسْتَعْمَلَهُ فِي الْكَمَالِ وَيُذَمُّ فِي حَقِّ مَنْ عَطَّلَهُ أَوْ اسْتَعْمَلَهُ فِي الشَّرِّ . وَمَنْ اسْتَغْنَى عَنْهُ بِمَا هُوَ أَنْفَعُ لَهُ كَانَ أَكْمَلَ وَأَفْضَلَ . وَكَانَ تَرْكُهُ فِي حَقِّهِ مَعَ حُصُولِ الْمَقْصُودِ بِهِ أَكْمَلَ وَأَفْضَلَ . فَإِذَا تَبَيَّنَ أَنَّ التَّمَيُّزَ عَنْ الْأُمِّيِّينَ نَوْعَانِ ” فَالْأُمَّةُ الَّتِي بُعِثَ فِيهَا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَوْلَاهُمْ الْعَرَبُ وَبِوَاسِطَتِهِمْ حَصَلَتْ الدَّعْوَةُ لِسَائِرِ الْأُمَمِ ؛ لِأَنَّهُ إنَّمَا بُعِثَ بِلِسَانِهِمْ فَكَانُوا أُمِّيِّينَ عَامَّةً لَيْسَتْ فِيهِمْ مَزِيَّةُ عِلْمٍ وَلَا كِتَابٍ وَلَا غَيْرِهِ مَعَ كَوْنِ فِطَرِهِمْ كَانَتْ مُسْتَعِدَّةً لِلْعِلْمِ أَكْمَلَ مِنْ اسْتِعْدَادِ سَائِر الْأُمَمِ . بِمَنْزِلَةِ أَرْضِ الْحَرْثِ الْقَابِلَةِ لِلزَّرْعِ ؛ لَكِنْ لَيْسَ لَهَا مَنْ يَقُومُ عَلَيْهَا فَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُمْ كِتَابٌ يَقْرَءُونَهُ مُنَزَّلٌ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ كَمَا لِأَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَلَا عُلُومٌ قِيَاسِيَّةٌ مُسْتَنْبِطَةٌ كَمَا لِلصَّابِئَةِ وَنَحْوِهِمْ . وَكَانَ الْخَطُّ فِيهِمْ قَلِيلًا جِدًّا وَكَانَ لَهُمْ مِنْ الْعِلْمِ مَا يُنَالُ بِالْفِطْرَةِ الَّتِي لَا يَخْرُجُ بِهَا الْإِنْسَانُ عَنْ الْأُمُوَّةِ الْعَامَّةِ . كَالْعِلْمِ بِالصَّانِعِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعْظِيمِ مَكَارِمِ الْأَخْلَاقِ وَعِلْمِ الْأَنْوَاءِ . وَالْأَنْسَابِ وَالشِّعْرِ . فَاسْتَحَقُّوا اسْمَ الْأُمِّيَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ وَجْهٍ . كَمَا قَالَ فِيهِمْ : { هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ } وَقَالَ تَعَالَى : { وَقُلْ لِلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ وَالْأُمِّيِّينَ أَأَسْلَمْتُمْ فَإِنْ أَسْلَمُوا فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوْا وَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَاغُ } فَجَعَلَ الْأُمِّيِّينَ مُقَابِلِينَ لِأَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ . فَالْكِتَابِيُّ غَيْرُ الْأُمِّيِّ . فَلَمَّا بُعِثَ فِيهِمْ وَوَجَبَ عَلَيْهِمْ اتِّبَاعُ مَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ الْكِتَابِ وَتَدَبُّرِهِ وَعَقْلِهِ وَالْعَمَلِ بِهِ – وَقَدْ جَعَلَهُ تَفْصِيلًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَعَلَّمَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّى الْخِرَاءَةَ – صَارُوا أَهْلَ كِتَابٍ وَعِلْمٍ . بَلْ صَارُوا أَعْلَمَ الْخَلْقِ وَأَفْضَلَهُمْ فِي الْعُلُومِ النَّافِعَةِ وَزَالَتْ عَنْهُمْ الْأُمِّيَّةُ الْمَذْمُومَةُ النَّاقِصَةُ وَهِيَ عَدَمُ الْعِلْمِ وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُنَزَّلِ إلَى أَنْ عَلِمُوا الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَأُورِثُوا الْكِتَابَ . كَمَا قَالَ فِيهِمْ : { هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ } فَكَانُوا أُمِّيِّينَ مِنْ كُلِّ وَجْهٍ . فَلَمَّا عَلَّمَهُمْ الْكِتَابُ وَالْحِكْمَةَ قَالَ فِيهِمْ : { ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمِنْهُمْ مُقْتَصِدٌ وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ } وَقَالَ تَعَالَى { وَهَذَا كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ } { أَنْ تَقُولُوا إنَّمَا أُنْزِلَ الْكِتَابُ عَلَى طَائِفَتَيْنِ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَإِنْ كُنَّا عَنْ دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَافِلِينَ } { أَوْ تَقُولُوا لَوْ أَنَّا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْنَا الْكِتَابُ لَكُنَّا أَهْدَى مِنْهُمْ } وَاسْتُجِيبَ فِيهِمْ دَعْوَةُ الْخَلِيلِ حَيْثُ قَالَ : { رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ إنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ } وَقَالَ : { لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ } . فَصَارَتْ هَذِهِ الْأُمِّيَّةُ : مِنْهَا مَا هُوَ مُحَرَّمٌ . وَمِنْهَا مَا هُوَ مَكْرُوهٌ وَمِنْهَا مَا هُوَ نَقْصٌ وَتَرْكُ الْأَفْضَلِ . فَمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ الْفَاتِحَةَ أَوْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ شَيْئًا مِنْ الْقُرْآنِ تُسَمِّيهِ الْفُقَهَاءُ فِي ( بَابِ الصَّلَاةِ أُمِّيًّا . وَيُقَابِلُونَهُ بِالْقَارِئِ فَيَقُولُونَ : لَا يَصِحُّ اقْتِدَاءُ الْقَارِئِ بِالْأُمِّيِّ . وَيَجُوزُ أَنْ يَأْتَمَّ الْأُمِّيُّ بِالْأُمِّيِّ . وَنَحْوَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ الْمَسَائِلِ وَغَرَضُهُمْ بِالْأُمِّيِّ هُنَا الَّذِي لَا يَقْرَأُ الْقِرَاءَةَ الْوَاجِبَةَ سَوَاءٌ كَانَ يَكْتُبُ أَوْ لَا يَكْتُبُ يَحْسُبُ أَوْ لَا يَحْسُبُ . فَهَذِهِ الْأُمِّيَّةُ مِنْهَا مَا هُوَ تَرْكُ وَاجِبٍ يُعَاقَبُ الرَّجُلُ عَلَيْهِ . إذَا قَدَرَ عَلَى التَّعَلُّمِ فَتَرَكَهُ . وَمِنْهَا مَا هُوَ مَذْمُومٌ كَاَلَّذِي وَصَفَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ حَيْثُ قَالَ : { وَمِنْهُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ الْكِتَابَ إلَّا أَمَانِيَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إلَّا يَظُنُّونَ } فَهَذِهِ صِفَةُ مَنْ لَا يَفْقَهُ كَلَامَ اللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلُ بِهِ وَإِنَّمَا يَقْتَصِرُ عَلَى مُجَرَّدِ تِلَاوَتِهِ . كَمَا قَالَ الْحَسَنُ الْبَصْرِيُّ . نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ لِيُعْمَلَ بِهِ فَاِتَّخِذُوا تِلَاوَتَهُ عَمَلًا . فَالْأُمِّيُّ هُنَا قَدْ يَقْرَأُ حُرُوفَ الْقُرْآنِ أَوْ غَيْرَهَا وَلَا يَفْقَهُ . بَلْ يَتَكَلَّمُ فِي الْعِلْمِ بِظَاهِرِ مِنْ الْقَوْلِ ظَنًّا . فَهَذَا أَيْضًا أُمِّيٌّ مَذْمُومٌ كَمَا ذَمَّهُ اللَّهُ ؛ لِنَقْصِ عِلْمِهِ الْوَاجِبِ سَوَاءٌ كَانَ فَرْضَ عَيْنٍ أَمْ كِفَايَةٍ . وَمِنْهَا مَا هُوَ الْأَفْضَلُ الْأَكْمَلُ كَاَلَّذِي لَا يَقْرَأُ مِنْ الْقُرْآنِ إلَّا بَعْضَهُ وَلَا يَفْهَمُ مِنْهُ إلَّا مَا يَتَعَلَّقُ بِهِ وَلَا يَفْهَمُ مِنْ الشَّرِيعَةِ إلَّا مِقْدَارَ الْوَاجِبِ عَلَيْهِ فَهَذَا أَيْضًا يُقَالُ لَا أُمِّيٌّ وَغَيْرُهُ مِمَّنْ أُوتِيَ الْقُرْآنَ عِلْمًا وَعَمَلًا أَفْضَلُ مِنْهُ وَأَكْمَلُ . فَهَذِهِ الْأُمُورُ الْمُمَيِّزَةُ لِلشَّخْصِ عَنْ الْأُمُورِ الَّتِي هِيَ فَضَائِلُ وَكَمَالٌ : فَقَدَهَا أَمَّا فَقْدُ وَاجِبٍ عَيْنًا أَوْ وَاجِبٌ عَلَى الْكِفَايَةِ أَوْ مُسْتَحَبٌّ . وَهَذِهِ يُوصَفُ اللَّهُ بِهَا وَأَنْبِيَاؤُهُ مُطْلَقًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ جَمَعَ الْعِلْمَ وَالْكَلَامَ النَّافِعَ طَلَبًا وَخَبَرًا وَإِرَادَة . وَكَذَلِكَ أَنْبِيَاؤُهُ وَنَبِيُّنَا سَيِّدُ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَالْحُكَمَاءِ . وَأَمَّا الْأُمُورُ الْمُمَيِّزَةُ الَّتِي هِيَ وَسَائِلُ وَأَسْبَابٌ إلَى الْفَضَائِلِ مَعَ إمْكَانِ الِاسْتِغْنَاءِ عَنْهَا بِغَيْرِهَا فَهَذِهِ مِثْلُ الْكِتَابِ الَّذِي هُوَ الْخَطُّ وَالْحِسَابُ فَهَذَا إذَا فَقَدَهَا مَعَ أَنَّ فَضِيلَتَهُ فِي نَفْسِهِ لَا تَتِمُّ بِدُونِهَا وَفَقْدُهَا نَقْصٌ إذَا حَصَّلَهَا وَاسْتَعَانَ بِهَا عَلَى كَمَالِهِ وَفَضْلِهِ كَاَلَّذِي يَتَعَلَّمُ الْخَطَّ فَيَقْرَأُ بِهِ الْقُرْآنَ ؛ وَكُتُبَ الْعِلْمِ النَّافِعَةَ أَوْ يَكْتُبُ لِلنَّاسِ مَا يَنْتَفِعُونَ بِهِ : كَانَ هَذَا فَضْلًا فِي حَقِّهِ وَكَمَالًا . وَإِنْ اسْتَعَانَ بِهِ عَلَى تَحْصِيلِ مَا يَضُرُّهُ أَوْ يَضُرُّ النَّاسَ كَاَلَّذِي يَقْرَأُ بِهَا كُتُبَ الضَّلَالَةِ وَيَكْتُبُ بِهَا مَا يَضُرُّ النَّاسَ كَاَلَّذِي يُزَوِّرُ خُطُوطَ الْأُمَرَاءِ وَالْقُضَاةِ وَالشُّهُودِ : كَانَ هَذَا ضَرَرًا فِي حَقِّهِ وَسَيِّئَةً وَمَنْقَصَةً وَلِهَذَا نَهَى عُمَرَ أَنْ تُعَلَّمَ النِّسَاءُ الْخَطَّ . وَإِنْ أَمْكَنَ أَنْ يُسْتَغْنَى عَنْهَا بِالْكُلِّيَّةِ بِحَيْثُ يَنَالُ كَمَالَ الْعُلُومِ مِنْ غَيْرِهَا . وَيَنَالُ كَمَالَ التَّعْلِيمِ بِدُونِهَا : كَانَ هَذَا أَفْضَلَ لَهُ وَأَكْمَلَ . وَهَذِهِ حَالُ نَبِيِّنَا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ : { الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنْجِيلِ } فَإِنَّ أُمِّيَّتَهُ لَمْ تَكُنْ مِنْ جِهَةِ فَقْدِ الْعِلْمِ وَالْقِرَاءَةِ عَنْ ظَهْرِ قَلْبٍ فَإِنَّهُ إمَامُ الْأَئِمَّةِ فِي هَذَا . وَإِنَّمَا كَانَ مِنْ جِهَةِ أَنَّهُ لَا يَكْتُبُ وَلَا يَقْرَأُ مَكْتُوبًا . كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ : { وَمَا كُنْتَ تَتْلُو مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُ بِيَمِينِكَ } . وَقَدْ اخْتَلَفَ النَّاسُ هَلْ كَتَبَ يَوْمَ الْحُدَيْبِيَةِ بِخَطِّهِ مُعْجِزَةً لَهُ ؟ أَمْ لَمْ يَكْتُبْ ؟ وَكَانَ انْتِفَاءُ الْكِتَابَةِ عَنْهُ مَعَ حُصُولِ أَكْمَلِ مَقَاصِدِهَا بِالْمَنْعِ مِنْ طَرِيقِهَا مِنْ أَعْظَمِ فَضَائِلِهِ وَأَكْبَرِ مُعْجِزَاتِهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَّمَهُ الْعِلْمَ بِلَا وَاسِطَةِ كِتَابٍ مُعْجِزَةً لَهُ وَلَمَّا كَانَ قَدْ دَخَلَ فِي الْكُتُبِ مِنْ التَّحْرِيفِ وَالتَّبْدِيلِ وَعَلَّمَ هُوَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أُمَّتَهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَاجَةٍ مِنْهُ إلَى أَنْ يَكْتُبَ بِيَدِهِ وَأَمَّا سَائِر أَكَابِرِ الصَّحَابَةِ كَالْخُلَفَاءِ الْأَرْبَعَةِ وَغَيْرِهِمْ فَالْغَالِبُ عَلَى كِبَارِهِمْ الْكِتَابَةُ لِاحْتِيَاجِهِمْ إلَيْهَا إذْ لَمْ يُؤْتَ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ الْوَحْي مَا أُوتِيَهُ صَارَتْ أُمِّيَّتُهُ الْمُخْتَصَّةُ بِهِ كَمَالًا فِي حَقِّهِ مِنْ جِهَةِ الْغِنَى بِمَا هُوَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْهَا وَأَكْمَلُ وَنَقْصًا فِي حَقِّ غَيْرِهِ مِنْ جِهَةِ فَقْدِهِ الْفَضَائِلَ الَّتِي لَا تَتِمُّ إلَّا بِالْكِتَابَةِ .
In conclusion, it was another miracle, albeit temporary, that allowed the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) to read/write at Hudaybiyyah but this does not change his original status of being “unlettered” or an ummiyy (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam).
It is important in my to choose the honourable opinion that the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) was indeed unlettered as a manifest display of his miraculous nature of Prophethood – the ability to understand and embody the divine creed after having received divine inspiration directly and through angelic teaching without ever the possibility that he had taken it, copied it or plagiarised it from other human sources. The simple fact that he is the Imām of humanity in its knowledge, wisdom and application without formal education – an ummiyy – has been emphasised by Allah jalla wa ‘alā to demonstrate the miracle of his message. Even the most excellent, academic, talented and educated of men would never have achieved in a life-time what the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) was divinely inspired with – thus acting as a proof of the Inspirer, a proof of the inspired and a proof of the inspiration itself until the Final Day when we shall see it all with our own eyes.
And Allah knows best.
December 25, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Jazakallahu khayran for this.
I’m glad you said ‘honourable opinion’. I can tolerate a scholarly difference of opinion but find it really difficult to tolerate it when people accuse those who say the Prophet [s] was unlettered to be disrespecting him!
December 25, 2008 at 1:59 pm
The Prophet’s (alahi salatu wasalam) unletteredness or whatever we choose to call it is rather an indication of his high Rank in Reality. It is not (as often mistaken) a display of any miraculous phenomenon regarding his ability to understand and embody the divine creed. Afterall the Koran in its essence neither has letters nor sound, it is uncreated. Wisdom is not acquired through formal symbols.
The miracle here is how on earth did lettered people (like you and me, etc) manage to hold on to the teaching of Prophets. This is a miracle, and it is The miracle. To be lettered is a descent, will never be an ascent. But Allah and His Messenger have descended with us – Allah has met us half-way. He has accepted us the way we are – so that he could pulled us out of letters to that which is indicated by the Letters. From darkness to Light.
So, know this and understand it!
Allah is the Patron of those who believe, He brings them forth from darknesses into Light. Koran.
Peace!
December 25, 2008 at 5:18 pm
1. The miracle here is how on earth lettered people (like you and me, etc) managed to hold on to the teaching of Prophets. This is a miracle, and it is the miracle. To be lettered is a descent, will never be an ascent. But Allah and His Messenger have descended with us – Allah has met us half-way. He has accepted us the way we are – so that he could pull us out of letters to that which is indicated by the Letters. From darkness to Light.
Ok I don’t want to sound rude but do I need to have something to smoke here? Because I am not sure what you mean anonymous or what it means! It looks like something wrote on a psychotropic drug like psilocybin but it may well be something more cerebral like red beard sensei. A type of grade marijuana or maybe I need some sleep deprivation because I don’t know what you are on about’ to be lettered is a decent to be literate is a decent ? to be able to read and write is a decent? the miracle is we sent unto you an unlettered prophet reciting words from his lord reciting what he knew not what you knew not , e.g. had this book been written by men it would of be full of inconsistencies that is the miracle the book being revealed and recited by an unlettered Prophet is the miracle lovely explanation Abu Essa
December 25, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Idriss brother,
Oh brother, you’ve been smoking the new world order again…didn’t they tell you it’s bad for the soul? It brings about that syphilisation of literate but uneducated souls. You know, it’s a type of hangover that can’t really shake off except by the help of an Unlettered Prophet (alehi salatu wa salam); not some symbolic logician. I am afraid to be bursting your smoke in this way.
Seriously, you are the beneficiary of an oral tradition. It was made easy for you through written symbols and books, but now you are going to turn the whole mercy over its head…and claim some type of sexcellence for your self. Come on bro, humble your brains.
The Prophet (saw) was Unlettered so were many of his companions and they filled the world with Light. With your publishing houses and over-flowing mas-hafs you have failed miserably to bring even a candle light to the night forest. Uhn? Oh Dear dear.
You probably need to read more, cause reading is for people (like you) who don’t Know. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) didn’t suffer from such ignorance, he was inspired with a book for your sake – for God’s sake!
He recited the wisdom to you, it is upto you to write it down or put it in database. …since you are too dumb to keep it in memory, not to talk of living it.
Get real my brother. Literacy is not a big deal. It is just the way you are, the way of the world. Oh ye Symbolic machines. It is not the way of the Prophet (saw). Do you have a Problem with that? “Don’t they know their Prophets?”.
You are going to judge the Prophet by your own standards? You must be sleep deprived, bro.
Literacy is for losers, literally speaking
“Nahnu qawmun, la naktubu wa la nahsibu”
December 26, 2008 at 12:17 am
Listen mister anonymous ’Brother! Illiteracy is a disability of sorts and I know I have met many people who wished they had been able to read and write’ personally I am happy with words reading ECT’ you might feel ok with your candles and night gardens. But books are fine I enjoy them as for your statement about words being for dummies like myself fine as you wish’ reading being on the descent it maybe your experience good! but consider this’ reading and writing is a gift as well’ there are just as many people who would love to read as there is who can’t so I consider it a valuable tool, that is useful so while your dummying me down you still haven’t an answered my original question how is reading and writing on the descent? As for living it? Yes your right I do struggle as the prophet said imam fluctuates according to degrees like sometimes it’s up’ sometimes down, some days for the shatan some days for me, but I have to live with that in hope of Allahs mercy since it is our lot in this life’ my reason and faculties have to deal with impossible people who imagine the world according to their own understanding who may not take in to account my needs’ that not all clothes fit the same person and people have abilities more than others’ as for judging the prophet (saw) by my standard were did I say anything of the kind my question was to you? The prophets (saw) situation is unique. i.e he is not like other men! I Claim some type of sexcellence for your self. I dont understand?
December 26, 2008 at 12:53 am
If reading and writing was such a bad thing then why did the prophet (saw) consider to free the prisoners captives of bader if they could each teach ten Muslims to read and write?
December 26, 2008 at 12:58 am
you sound amazingly like kahlid yaseen ? I dont know if thats a compliment?
December 26, 2008 at 1:18 am
Assalamualaikum,
Could the brother/sister/jinn who wrote “Allah and His Messenger have descended with us” please be a bit more cautious with their language? Is you dizzy blood?
You may wish to be a lyrical poet but please do not freestyle with the attributes of Allah Ta’ala.
That’s all I’m gonna say so don’t aks me no questions. Not gonna do no flame war on no Islamic blog here. And no, I ain’t no hash-head neither blood.
P.S. AE I noticed a gramatical error, first line on the penultimate paragraph. Don’t thank me, just make Du’a.
Jazakumullahu-khairan
And Allah is the best of providers.
December 26, 2008 at 4:17 am
Salaam Alaykum to anonymous Actually Abu Essa I can go with what you said about the prophet He sal-lalahu alayhi wa salaam having the amazing ability to understand aspects of the unseen because Allah gave him divine insight as was in the case of the jinn when he and his companion Abu baker (radiallahu anhuma) went to talk with them he had the knowledge and foresight to protect his companion from the danger of the unseen to be able to give dawah to them.
But I also have known or experienced phenomena of understanding different tongues in my dreams I have fallen asleep and listened to people of colour speaking deferent tongues and understanding them Clear as day however on awaking only the memory of the event was left without the understanding and yes anonymous that was without smoking any of the new world order but I apologise if my tone has offended you I meant what I said perhaps I could have left out the psychotropic explanation bit even though my experience has validated such reason.
I grew up around pot smoking weed guzzling brothers and having had the most amazingly twisted understanding of deen as seen through the most smoked filled rooms an pipes and if you wanted to compete with me on fabricated lies and twisted Ideas I would beat you hands down. but if I could put aside those memories to understand authentic Islam as practiced by the companions an to be given a clean bill of health so to speak from those who have taken their time to study Arabic in its classical interpretation by students and those blessed with the ability to sit with the people of knowledge I digress I would throw everything of my past into the fire to live a more purer life. Perhaps I miss understood you I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt
I may well have come from the gutter but it certainly doesn’t mean I don’t look up at the stars.
December 26, 2008 at 11:52 am
Salams Idriss,
I am only using exaggeration and hyperboles to highlight a point: which is – being literate does not provide a superior vantage point over being illiterate.
If you are talking about me, yes, it is probably better for me to be literate than be an illiterate because of the situation I have now found myself. But that doesn’t provide us with any evaluation on the value of literacy over illiteracy.. it only speaks about who I am, about my own specific condition in the Grand scheme of things. I should take this mercy and thank Allah for it. As to the question, what is superior, that can only be answered by Allah and His Messenger. And they have told you that the Best of Creation is Unlettered, so that is the Best of Way to be. Really? Yes, really.
I am sorry you are unable to function in that Way because you are obviously not the Best of Creation. Hence, be as you wish (within the Guidance), but we only ask you to give the testimony and acknowledge that you are nothing and the Prophet including all is attributes (whether unlettered or eating on the floor) is above you and every civilisation.
When you say it is a miracle that he (saw) was unlettered and able to produce this comprehensive lettered revelation. That is really an insult. You have to understand that the written nature of the revelation or any contract document is only for your sake, to accommodate your weaknesses and diseases, both the ones manifest and those yet to manifest. It is not because there is anything superior about it.
We will stop here because afterall this is such a minor issue – some people might say.
wa salam
December 26, 2008 at 12:19 pm
…if you wanted to compete with me on fabricated lies and twisted Ideas I would beat you hands down.
No, I don’t want to compete with you on this domain. I have been there myself.
And even then, there is nothing impressive about it (as I know you are aware), but more even so because there is no lie I am unable to catch. And there is no truth I am unable to recognise.
So, if you want to compete, this is where the competition lies.
As things stand, yourself, myself, and many many people, the smoke of this syphilisation is still running in our veins. And that is no problem, but only if you recognise it for what it is. The door of the Unletter Prophet, that is the door. And you have to believe is with all your veins regardless of any indispensable novel and intellectual facade the new world may present.
December 26, 2008 at 2:51 pm
So Idriss brother, to conclude:
The point of all of this talk- because our action has to have a point – basically what I am trying to convey is that – when we testify and affirm Things as they are, when we bear witness to the Truth as it is without twisting it to fit our heroic achievements and protocols, when we embrace it with our heart and white blood cells – only then can begin to even hope for immunity from the anxiety and diseases that are necessarily connected to our innovative ways/truths.
So, in the case of the Unletteredness of the Prophet (saw): As I have noted, people will still seek to understand this matter in a way that is subservient to their own “advanced” world view. And this is a mistake to say the least.
But when you accept it as it is, and take yourself out of the picture, and testify simply that this is an attribute of the best of creation. Only then will our pretentious attempts at imitation of the role model acquire some chance to be clothed with authenticity. How do I know this? There is a long answer and a short answer. The short answer is that when you affirm any Truth, then your have the possibility of an excuse and/or even acceptance for your actions that are inconsistent with that affirmation. And so on… This is not philosophy. Rather, this is deen.
But may be the way I am putting it I am speaking over your head,…anyhow these things need to be said….cos we need to get our heads around ourselves so we could see exactly where we stand.
December 26, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Santa turning up at the door torching the house and killing eight people with a gun the stuff of nightmares ‘ at least in Hollywood movies it took at least a weekend to do all that, today it’s just five minutes work that is mashed, I bet ho ho ho ! Won’t be popular with the relatives any more’ talk about how to kill the Christmas spirit and woops their goes the neighbor “mummy” Santa has just killed all the guests! What is going on?
December 26, 2008 at 6:17 pm
whoa!! mashallah. You clearly beat me hands down. But I already told you I no longer compete in this domain. Anyway, take the trophy home.
December 26, 2008 at 8:14 pm
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December 26, 2008 at 9:05 pm
(Hillman) Bro ive been meaning to speak to you long time no see man. Do you have an email address i could contact you on?
December 26, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Ajeeeb!
December 27, 2008 at 12:29 am
Subhanahallah Inshallah may Allah for give us and guide us sorry brothers I don’t know what’s going on!
Clearly we need help unfortunately I am not qualified for mental health issues
December 27, 2008 at 1:47 am
Mr lost, where u bin hiding r kid? or should i say where did u get “lost,” hehehe yeh I know, yet another one from the Hillman, I guess im also ilitirilitit aswel
. I dont know who u r bro but anyway its Fraaz132@hotmail.com,email me anytym pra!
December 27, 2008 at 5:55 am
Bro Abu Eesa where are the references for the qoutes you gave:(Ibn Taymiyyah and Imam Nawai)?
December 27, 2008 at 5:49 pm
The Sirat is bridge sharper than a sword and thinner than a hair string. It is reported that it runs over Hell all the way to Jannah. Every human being must cross the Sirat to get to Jannah. Some will fall off, audhubillah, some will go super fast over it almost not sensing its immensity (May Allah make us from these). Some others will crawl painfully through. Even then some will drag through so slowly not knowing whether they will make it or not, the light from their Eman that runs forth will be so weak that it will flicker on and off, even they will think it will never turn on again (na’udhubillah min dhalik). But Allah is Merciful. It is The Merciful that presides over the Throne.
It will be an Immense Day.
December 27, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Abu Eesa, (or anyone that can offer some help)
How do you get the Arabic text, the one you use in your blogs? It seems, everytime I use any sort of Arabic text, it flips from right to left, not looking like Arabic at all..
December 27, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Salaamalaykum brother you must go into the control panel go to local language settings enable eastern language by ticking the box ‘make sure you have windows cd xp if you’re running vista your knacked unless you’ve got the ultimate version when the cd, s has finished install the eastern ready for it to install regional language when that is done then select which Arabic you want then reboot computer.
You should now be able to enable Arabic switching back and forth so when you copy and paste it comes out correct hoped that help!
December 27, 2008 at 10:11 pm
If it is vista depends on the version. Don’t think you can install Arabic on an English version of vista unless you have the business edition?
Follow the instructions control panel=regional settings =locales languages eastern languages enable choose Arabic
If your running xp you’re cool no problem just inserts the cd when it asks you to and reboot
December 27, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Please remember the brothers and sisters in Gaza and May Allah assist them against the tyrants and may the Jews never have a moment’s peace until Palestine is free. How can any Arab from the Muslim side or strike an accord with the stinking Zionist entity!
December 28, 2008 at 12:16 am
Ive been watching the Gaza crisis on telly.
Im so unbelievably depressed.
I was a fool to think Obama would permit this-I had no reason to think that. Israel is USA’a 51st state, they should add another star(of David) to their flag.
There is a peaceful demonstration outside the BBC in manchester@1pm tomorrow. It was announced in the masjid at isha today.
(sigh)
December 28, 2008 at 12:55 am
AAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGHHHH VEXD MAN!
December 28, 2008 at 10:15 am
Wa ‘alaykum salam wa rahmatullah
Firstly, after reading the above, I clearly need to go back to sleep again.
Secondly, thanks and jazakallahu khayran for the grammar correction. It’s been fixed. I only wrote this answer very quickly and should have read through it first. I have also added the two references requested.
As for the Arabic: you need to write that Arabic text (or paste it) into MS Word, highlight the text and select the “left-to-right” tool at the top which will re-jig the Arabic text, which you then copy and paste into your text box here and it will be in the right order. I think.
Finally, may Allah help us all to realise our own deficiencies and sins which are the ultimate cause of why our brothers and sisters in the Blessed Land are suffering today. Wa Allahu Musta’an.
December 28, 2008 at 11:32 am
“…the Koran in its essence neither has letters nor sound”
This is not the aqeedah of the salaf.
December 28, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Dear Anonymous,
What is the aqeeda of the Salaf regarding this matter. Please enlighten us.
Awaiting your response.
anoymous.
December 28, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Ask yourselves where most of those missiles and bombs that destroy innocent lives were first launched?
Take a wild guess: Muslim countries/seas…like Kuwait, Qatar, etc.
Put your own house in order first.
December 28, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I was referring to Iraq in the above case.
December 28, 2008 at 7:54 pm
“…the Koran in its essence neither has letters nor sound”
The Qur’an originated from Allah as articulated speech in a manner that behoves His Majesty. Allah has been speaking from eternity if, when and as He wills to speak. He has been speaking in words which have sounds that can be heard. He speaks with words and letters, and His speech is eternal and uncreated.
It is the view of the Ash’ari’s that the speech of Allah is the thought in the mind of Allah. Likewise, the Maturidi’s wrongly held, that the speech of Allah is one single idea that subsists in Him without any letters or sounds and hence inaudible.
For more info read:
“al-Aqīdah as-Salafiyyah fi kalām Rabb al-bariyyah” by Shaykh Abdullah b. Yusuf al-Juday
“Commentary on the Creed of at-Tahawi” by Ibn Abi al-Izz.
http://saheefah.org/2007/12/16/kalam-speech/
December 28, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Brother,
You post does not merit a response.
But I will still say few things.
I thought you were going to provide me something from the Salaf-us-Salih such as As-Shafi, Abu Hanifa, Malik, Ahmed Bin Hanbal, Hasan Al-Basari,etc (May Allah have mercy on them) , or at least some references from heavy weight scholars,… I didn’t know you would be quoting part time lectures part time ‘Shakes’ of the 21st century. You are cracking a sad joke, I am not sure whether to laugh or be sober.
Anyway…..
I took the pain and wasted my time to read the link you provided on saheefah.org, it is a very ridiculous and dishonest article.
Is this what you read that led you to your conclusion that my statement is not in line with the aqeedah of the salafs? I am worried about you brother.
May Allah guide us all.
wa salam.
December 28, 2008 at 9:33 pm
It is clear that you have neither read nor have any familiarity with the authors of the first two references that I quoted, otherwise you would not have made such diabolical remarks. Their works are repleted with evidences from the Qur’an and Sunnah as well as statements of the salaf.
If you want a quick summary of some of the evidences please visit: http://www.saaid.net/Doat/almuwahid/4.htm
Now I know from your previous posts, that you have an unwavering habit of eluding direct questions, but here is one for you. Can you mention any of the Imams you stated above who said that the Speech of Allah is without sounds and letters?
December 29, 2008 at 2:14 am
I’ve never been so irritated by anonymous posters as I am on this post. At least if you want to be unknown use a number or letter or something, (even if you think you are illiterate!)
It just seems like the same person is saying everything, but it can’t be since there is disagreement.
Unless we have Jackyl and Hyde here…
December 29, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Troops, tanks and planes being deployed
yet again were being destroyed,
How much more blood will need to be spilt,
till we at least start feeling some guilt?
I see my brothers and my sisters running for their lives,
with no weapons to survive
and no place to hide,
getting clapped down with sum gats on the streets to die,
Oh its ok brother, its only a bunch of deviant extreme terrorists,
protecting themselves from tanks using their fists,
throwing their stones to protect their homes,
whilst powerful kings just sit on their thrones.
Social security and family credit
Its the only thing on our minds, lets just admit it,
kickin off because of a late giro,
Never gonna think about donating some dough
Im not trying to create no suicide bomber,
else before we know it, ill be a gonner,
guantanamo bay will be my new gaf,
trust me that aint the way, it aint the right path,
Wake up o people before its too late,
at this rate even mecca wont be in our fate,
Lets make dua and lets make taubah,
Inshallah victory will be ours, before the games ova!
December 29, 2008 at 4:03 pm
nice, mashallah!
December 29, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Slm AE,
Would it be possible to get the definitive Ahlus-Sunnah position on the incident of Kerbala, depending on who you speak to, you get such wide ranging responses, and since it is Muharram shortly, it would be good to be clued up in advance.
Jzk khr
December 29, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Salams Anonymous,
I checked the “saaid” page.
I must say that was a very funny article, very interesting style of argument and twisting references.
I know you don’t see it that way, but other people are able to read in between this kind of strange articles. Anyone here?
I am going to evade your question as you have probably guessed. But you would know too well why Imam Shafi left Iraq, and why Ibn Hanbal stayed behind.
And help yourself to Imam Al-Ghazali’s exposition on Allah’s speech.
I now see why someone might think that the unletteredness of the Prophet (saw) is a miracle since the Qur’an, in their view, is exclusively lettered.
But I want to say to you tho, that no one disagrees that the Qur’an has sounds and letters. We have a license to speak in this way because Allah has spoken in ways to suggest that. But when you talk of Allah’s Beginninglessness (Awaliya), or his undifferentiatedness (before creating the world) which there is no air above or air below (as mentioned in the hadith of Abu Razen) and His Perfect Attributes which are unlike ours, then His Eternal speech is not of letters or sound. This is the aqidah of Ahl Sunnah wa’l Jamaah and it is the aqidah of the Salafs. For your information Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) believed that the Qur’an was the Khuluq of the Prophet (saw). Where are the sounds and letters here?
If you want to take the position of Imam Hanbal. Then you should be quiet, because he did not say anything of the sorts as these people who are writing these phony articles/books. Rather, he quoted Qur’an and Hadiths and he did not make any Qiyas on them. So, if that is what you intend, you should quote Qur’an and/or Hadith and be silent thereafter. In this case, the people of sunnah will agree with you. But you cannot use qiyas and then forbid everyone else from doing so. Where did you get your monopoly from?
December 30, 2008 at 11:10 am
As we enter the blessed month of Muharram i would like to remind myself and others of the hadith reported by Abu Hurairah.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: The best month for observing fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah, Muharram.
Alhumdulillah we are in the winter months, the days are very short and as a result fasing has become much easier. A few months ago in ramadan we were fasting for 15 hours, now a fast is no longer than 10 hours.
Lets take advantage of this time of year. Actions we normally find so difficult(fasting, tahajjud etc) are made very easy for those who really want it in the winter months.
We know that Muharram is one of the sacred months and contains Ashura (10th Muharram). Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger of Allah (S) was asked about observing fast on the tenth day of Muharram, and He replied, “It is an expiation for the sins of the previous year.”
Great opportunities my brothers and sisters, lets not be great losers!
Remember me in your duas